Midlands firefighters could strike over new pensioner care contracts
WEST Midlands firefighters are being balloted on strike action in a row over new contracts.
The Fire Brigades Union says contracts introduced by West Midlands Fire Authority mean new firefighters will have to take on work outside the agreed role of a firefighter.
It comes after claims that firefighters had lost frontline staff and engines to fulfil ‘loss-making’ care contracts.
West Midlands Fire Service have agreed a two-year contract with councils to respond to emergency callouts from OAPs who have fallen at home.
One local authority paying firefighters to patients from hospitals.
Firefighters and civilian staff can volunteer to take part in the flexible contract scheme, which can boost their wages by 25 per cent.
But it means civilian staff who take part, including cleaners, are being paid the same salary as firefighters on the scheme.
The FBU announced the ballot for strike action last week, with West Midlands chairman Andrew was even pick up Scattergood saying: “The new contracts give management an unhealthy amount of power to dictate the work firefighters do.
“The so-called ‘Labour-led’ fire authority is creating a two-tier workforce between those who are contracted to do any work and those who have contracts the public would expect a firefighter to have. It is a classic divide and conquer strategy.
“Firefighters are not only angry at the contracts being issued, they are gravely concerned about the management culture where staff are routinely ignored and their concerns dismissed.”
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, added: “Firefighters in the West Midlands have made it absolutely clear that these contracts are unacceptable.
“Senior managers at the service need to think long and hard now if having firefighters out on strike is in their interest. The political leadership of the fire authority needs to get a grip and step in before strike action takes place.”
West Midlands Fire Service has defended the money-raising scheme, explaining: “While it may not be considered the traditional role of a firefighter, the service is evolving and changes need to be made to ensure we are meeting community risk where appropriate.”